Human Resources Departments by County

About Human Resources Departments

What is a Human Resources Department?

A Human Resources Department is a bureau or office at the federal, state, county, or local level of government that is responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining qualified employees. Human Resources Departments also implement and enforce personnel rules and policies, maintain employee records, enforce compliance with labor and employment laws, and manage labor relations. In some organizations, the Human Resources Department is also responsible for payroll and administering employee benefits.

Human Resources Departments coordinate the recruitment process, in cooperation with other departments, in order to fill open positions and ensure that the organization's procedures and rules for hiring are followed. Human Resources Departments play a central role in creating and updating job descriptions, posting job announcements both internally and externally, and reviewing submitted application materials. Human Resources also makes arrangements for interviewing and testing candidates, as well as conducting background checks, drug tests, and verifying employee credentials.

Human Resources Departments develop training plans that encompass training for new employees and ongoing training and professional development for existing staff. Human Resources also ensures that mandated licenses and certifications, such as CDL licensing, are maintained and updated as needed.

The Human Resources Department typically spearheads the process for negotiating contracts with employee unions. Human Resources Departments ensure that statutory timelines for opening negotiations and rules for considering contract provisions are followed. During labor negotiations, Human Resources Departments usually work in consultation with labor attorneys, affected departments, and the organization's chief executive. The Human Resources Department may also be responsible for presenting proposed contracts to legislative bodies for their consideration. As part of labor relations, Human Resources Departments may also mediate labor-management disputes or play a role in processing union grievances.

In some jurisdictions, the Human Resources Department is responsible for processing payroll and administering employee benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement benefits. Payroll and benefits administration also entails tracking employee use of leave time, including sick, vacation, and personal leave, and determining employee eligibility for various benefits. Human Resources may also serve as a liaison to health insurance companies and other companies contracted for the provision of employee benefits.